Fantasy: 2016 Rankings - Wide Receivers

theScore's Justin Boone is the second-ranked pro over the last four seasons in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition.

Scroll down to get an early look at his rankings for 2016, including analysis below. Rookies will be added following the NFL Draft.

Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE | DST | K

Wide Receivers

• Elite receivers have provided a better return on investment than top running backs in recent years, but last season that was taken to a new level, as injuries and ineffectiveness decimated the assumed-RB1 class. The fantasy community will react strongly, so expect a run on receivers in the opening round of drafts.

• Antonio Brown has become the most reliable fantasy player at any position. With Martavis Bryant suspended for the year, Brown is set up for another monster campaign, and deserves to be the first overall pick in re-draft leagues.

• Julio Jones and Odell Beckham also warrant early-first-round picks in 2016. Jones is coming off one of the all-time great campaigns by a pass catcher and Beckham has yet to be stopped since entering the league.

• With Tony Romo and Dez Bryant missing big chunks of 2015, the Cowboys offense never had a chance to get off the ground. Prior to last season, Bryant was a lock for at least 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns each year. With Romo back at the helm, the numbers will come flooding back.

• Allen Robinson's breakout campaign was no fluke, as his new-found fondness for the end zone helped him tie for the league lead in touchdowns. He blazed his way to a very even 80 catches, 1,400 yards, and 14 scores, and could sneak into the first round of 2016 drafts.

• Players coming off injury-plagued seasons are often undervalued, which could make Alshon Jeffery a name to target. The Bears No. 1 receiver has two quality seasons under his belt, and his per-game averages from the nine contests he appeared in last year would have made him a WR1.

• Much like Jeffery, the hope is that Jordy Nelson comes at a discount after missing the 2015 season. It was evident that Aaron Rodgers missed his favorite receiver, but all reports indicate his recovery is progressing well. Fantasy owners should be aggressive in trying to secure his services.

• Amari Cooper entered the league as an extremely polished prospect and delivered as a rookie. His late-season decline was the result of a foot injury he chose to play through, and shouldn't be an issue moving forward. The Raiders offense is on the rise, and Cooper will be the one leading them out of the darkness.

• Josh Gordon will move up if/when he’s reinstated. The Browns' quarterback situation is worrisome, but assuming Gordon can recapture even 70 percent of what he was prior to his suspension, he’ll be a major fantasy factor.

• Players who may surprise this season: Sammy Watkins (finished strong in 2015; showed a rapport with Tyrod Taylor), DeVante Parker (another WR who ended the year on a strong note; has breakout potential), Kevin White (picked seventh overall by Bears in 2015; missed entire rookie year with injury), Phillip Dorsett (lightning fast with lots of upside; will be No. 3 receiver in Colts' pass-heavy offense).